Life & Work with Kristy Blomquist Peck

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristy Blomquist Peck.

Hi Kristy, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Growing up in Kansas City, I had a childhood punctuated by interpersonal chaos and financial uncertainty. But despite the challenges, I found solace and purpose in music, largely thanks to the school music programs I participated in. My upbringing was unique in that I spent time in Johnson County with my mom and with my dad in Kansas City, Missouri. My parents and stepfather were all deeply passionate about music, and their influence instilled in me a love for music and a desire to share it and use it for good.

My stepfather was a gigging musician in Kansas City and Lake of the Ozarks his entire life, including the Chief’s pack band every home game, and my father provided me with a comprehensive knowledge of classic rock, informed by his experience of using music to cope during his time in Vietnam as a soldier. Meanwhile, my mom was a member of the inaugural faculty of the Kansas City Middle School for the Arts after teaching academics in private schools and guitar to the parish after school.

I was proud to participate in the orchestra and Strolling Strings all four years at Shawnee Mission West. I also sang in the Chorale with my high school sweetheart, Mike Blomquist, whom I later married and with whom I share three children. Sadly, our life took a tragic turn when Mike passed away after gracefully fighting brain cancer for 5 years. Our children were 6, 3, and 2 at this time. Mike’s beautiful example of devoting himself to the community and a need to financially support my children after losing my spouse led me to pursue a graduate degree in social work. I graduated from KU with my MSW in 2011 and worked for many years for the local government running a program that supported adolescent parents. Though I loved the impact I was making and adored my clients, I found the work to be traumatizing and the lack of support devastating.

After the death of a client, a 19-year-old devoted mother, Elizabeth Richards, in 2019 to interpersonal violence, I made the difficult decision to reboot my career. I found myself drawn to the nonprofit creative sector. After contracting with various organizations through Covid, I was thrilled to be offered my dream role as the Band of Angels Program and Community Engagement Director. This Kansas City-based 501 (c)(3) organization provides musical instruments, scholarships, and performance opportunities to kids in Kansas City and beyond. I am thrilled to engage with any members of the community who want to connect with Band of Angels!

We look forward to The Best Summer Party in the Crossroads, Art That Blows, our annual fundraiser, which will auction off original pieces made of unplayable instruments and parts to raise funds to send kids to summer music camp! So many kids will make their best friends at camp this summer and find a rope to life that they might not have had before. The protective factors of studying music are truly incredible!

Music has been a constant for me through all the ups and profound downs of life, and I’m honored to be a part of an organization working to make it accessible to young people. My connection to music has taught me that it has the power to inspire, heal, and transform lives, and I’m dedicated to sharing this with as many young people as possible. In 2023, after significant healing in both the personal and professional spheres, I began writing my original music related to themes of grief. I will release it formally along with 3 meaningful covers in January 2024 on an album entitled “20 Years a Widow.”

We all face challenges, but would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As a helping professional, I faced the challenge of balancing the emotional demands of my job with my responsibilities as a mother. My reserves were often depleted, leaving me without the energy to give my children the attention they deserved. As a highly empathetic individual, it was difficult not to give everything to my clients when I had the resources to help. And even more difficult not to think about their suffering nearly always. Adding to the situation’s complexity was my diagnosis of PTSD, which manifested in physical symptoms that interfered with my daily life. Looking back, I realize that I made the mistake of relegating music to my “free time” when it was my most effective coping mechanism. In hindsight, I wish I had kept my creative outlet more accessible and utilized it frequently. I strongly recommend that you do the same for individuals in caregiving roles or those with heightened empathy. Your creative pursuits can serve as valuable tools for stress management and burnout prevention.

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I play the piano, cello, ukulele, and guitar and sing. I love participating in open mics and supporting other local artists creating original music in Kansas City, especially young adults who have left the safety of home or university and are out paving their own lane in the music industry. One of my greatest joys is playing for and exciting young musicians in their 20s. The Piano Room, The RINO, VIVO Live, and The Combine KC are all favorite venues. I have an active Tiktok on which I also play music live regularly. I have enjoyed performing for 2 seasons with the Kansas City Women’s Chorus. This fantastic, affirming organization welcomes all femme-identifying singers willing to commit the material to join in sharing music with Kansas City. I am also a member of the cello section of the Westwood Ensemble, a community orchestra with Jon Lane, retired conductor of Shawnee Mission East orchestra, at the helm.

At Band of Angels, I work hard to ensure we reach all corners of the community and beyond to connect eligible music students to the instruments, opportunities, and scholarships we have available to them to further their musical journey. I always go out of my way to ensure that our recipients know that in choosing music, they are giving themselves a gift that will nurture them throughout their lifespan. Knowing that the arts strengthen communities, Band of Angels is committed to supporting youth musicians that will keep our city, region, and world vital in the arts for generations.

Are any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
Instead of apps, books, podcasts, etc., I recommend music to help you through life. Blood on the Tracks” is a masterpiece album by Bob Dylan that can be particularly helpful in dealing with loss or heartbreak. The album explores themes of love, betrayal, and the pain that comes with the end of a relationship.

The raw and emotional lyrics of songs like “Tangled Up in Blue” and “Idiot Wind” can resonate deeply with those who have experienced heartbreak or the loss of a loved one. The album’s introspective and reflective nature can help listeners process their feelings and emotions, providing a sense of catharsis.

The album’s songs also showcase Dylan’s ability to capture the complexity of relationships and the human experience, making it a relatable and comforting piece of art for those going through difficult times. The album’s “Blood on the Tracks” is a metaphor for the emotional pain and turmoil that comes with heartbreak and loss.

Overall, “Blood on the Tracks” is a timeless album that can provide solace, understanding, and a sense of connection to those dealing with the pain of heartbreak or loss. Its ability to capture the depth and complexity of human emotions is a testament to Dylan’s mastery as a songwriter and musician.

Pricing:

• Art That Blows GA ticket $40
• Art That Blows VIP ticket $80

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bandofangels.org
• Instagram: kckristyann
• Other: kckristyannbpmusic Tiktok

Image Credits
Photo credit to John Cisetti for the photo of Mike Meyer and Art That Blows guests. All other photos are mine.